In a public hearing conducted Jan. 24-25, TPSAC voted on several scientific recommendations for the FDA to consider in the agency’s ongoing review of New York-based Philip Morris International’s (PMI’s) application for MRTP (modified-risk tobacco product) status of the company’s iQOS heat-not-burn product and Marlboro HeatSticks. The nine-member TSPAC panel voted during the public hearing as follows:
—On a vote of 8 in favor and 1 against, TPSAC supported the claim that the iQOS product “significantly reduces your body’s exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals.”
—On a vote of 5 against and 3 in favor, with one member abstaining, the TPSAC panel stated that PMI had not proved that reducing harmful exposure would “translate to a measurable and substantial reduction in morbidity and mortality.”
—On a vote of 8 against and zero in favor, with one member abstaining, TPSAC did not support the claim that the iQOS product would reduce the risk of tobacco-related diseases.
—On a vote of 5 against and 4 in favor, a simple majority of TPSAC panel members did not support the claim that “switching completely to iQOS presents less risk of harm than continuing to smoke cigarettes.”
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